was replied to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was replied to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a response was given to a specific question or statement. Example: "The email was replied to promptly by the support team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

One of the letters was replied to by a man called George Gale, who was then editor of The Spectator.

Independent

As for his sailors: "The fire from the forts was heavy and rapid, but was replied to with such spirit that the aim of the enemy was not so good as usual".

The New York Times

Brady's try and Cipriani's conversation and penalty was replied to by Andy Saull going over for the home side.

BBC

A recent survey by the FSB, which was replied to by 1,836 of our members, suggests one in three - 30% - small businesses is failing to hire reservists from the Army, navy and air force.

BBC

My application (cover letter and curriculum vitae) to the director of the IMCB was replied to immediately and positively, and the arrangements for a visit to IMCB to meet potential postdoctoral advisors and to give a seminar on my current work were made quickly.

Science Magazine

Austin's attack was replied to in "Has Austin Refuted Sense-data Theory" (Ayer 1967), with Ayer defending the viability of the distinction between veridical and non-veridical perception, and maintaining that the argument from illusion was only one source of the case for sense-data.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

While another pleaded: "I wasn't calling anyone, I was replying to an email".

Independent

I was replying to somebody," she continued.

Huffington Post

The Italian press once published a letter in which he was replying to an atheist philosopher.

Huffington Post

Sixty-two percent of the messages were a "reply to comment" and "@comment", which meant that someone was replying to or addressing someone else.

BMC Medical Education

Everything else, once it's been replied to or followed up on, gets archived.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was replied to" when you want to emphasize that a response was provided, especially in formal or official contexts. This construction is common in reports, correspondence, and formal communication where documenting responses is important.

Common error

Avoid using "was replied to" when the active voice sounds more natural and direct. For instance, instead of "The email was replied to by John", prefer "John replied to the email". This improves clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was replied to" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that a subject received a response. As Ludwig AI confirms, this construction is grammatically sound and demonstrates that something received a response, as seen in examples like "The letter was replied to promptly".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was replied to" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that a response was given. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, noting its presence across diverse sources. While not as frequent as its active voice counterpart, it's suitable for formal contexts where the emphasis is on the response received. Alternatives like "was responded to" or "received a response" can provide similar meanings. When writing, prioritize clarity and conciseness, opting for the active voice when appropriate to enhance readability. The phrase appears in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts, reflecting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was responded to

Synonymous, but uses "responded" instead of "replied".

was answered

More direct and concise way of saying a response was given.

received a response

Focuses on receiving a response rather than the act of replying.

received an answer

Similar to 'received a response' but specifies an answer.

was acknowledged

Indicates recognition or acceptance, not necessarily a full reply.

was addressed

Suggests that something was dealt with or discussed in response.

was countered

Implies an opposing response or argument.

was refuted

Suggests a denial or disproving response.

was rebutted

Similar to 'was refuted', indicating a response that challenges the original statement.

was taken up

Indicates that a matter or request was considered in reply or reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "was replied to" in a sentence?

The phrase "was replied to" is used to indicate that a response was given to something. For example, "The letter was replied to promptly" or "His argument was replied to with strong evidence".

What is a good alternative to "was replied to"?

Alternatives include "was responded to", "received a response", or "was answered", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when "was replied to" is an option?

While "was replied to" is grammatically correct, using the active voice often results in a more direct and concise sentence. For example, instead of "The question was replied to by the expert", consider "The expert replied to the question".

What's the difference between "was replied to" and "was responded to"?

Both phrases are similar in meaning, but "was responded to" might be slightly more common in modern usage. They both indicate that a response was given, but the choice can depend on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.